AN ENORMOUS grass blaze has erupted in London with 125 firefighters at the scene as residents have been urgently evacuated from their homes.
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) was called to dozens of reports of the fire in Dagenham, East London at around 6:30pm today.
UKNIPAround 125 firefighters and 20 fire engines are battling the blaze[/caption]
UKNIPThe huge grass fire broke out behind Clemence Road in Dagenham[/caption]
UKNIPA number of residents were evacuated from their homes[/caption]
Around 125 firefighters are battling the flames, which have spread across eight hectares of grass, shrubland and trees, officials said.
Residents from nearby properties have been urged to keep their doors and windows shut due to the smoke, with many also being told to evacuate.
Meanwhile, the public has been advised to avoid the area due to road closures.
Terrifying pictures show huge flames and billows of black smoke engulfing the air, while trees and shrubland appear charred below.
Plumes of dark smoke can be seen hanging over rows of houses in the East London area as fire crews from Dagenham, Hornchurch, Wennington and Romford have banded together to tackle the huge blaze.
A wildfire response vehicle has also been deployed, while beaters are being used to prevent the fire from spreading any further.
A wildfire beater has a long handle with a flat piece of rubber at the end and is used to deprive the flames of oxygen and cool them down.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.
A spokesperson for LFB said: “Twenty fire engines and around 125 firefighters have been called to a grass fire behind Clemence Road in Dagenham.
“Firefighters are tackling a fire of around eight hectares of grass, shrubland and trees, as well as fences and garden furniture. Nearby properties are being evacuated as a precaution.
“Residents are advised to keep their doors and windows shut due to the smoke and the public is advised to avoid the area due to road closures.
“A wildfire response vehicle has been deployed to the incident. These vehicles provide off-road capability enabling the transportation of additional equipment closer to fires on open ground.
UKNIPBlack smoke engulfing the air in the East London area[/caption]
UKNIPWildfire beaters are being used to prevent the fire from spreading[/caption]
“Each vehicle carries approximately 475 litres of water, a backpack blower, ear defenders, beaters and misting lance technology, which allows firefighters to pump water and drive, enabling them to tackle grass fires more quickly and safely.
“The Brigade is currently trialling four wildfire response vehicles across the capital.
“Wildfire beaters are also being used in the efforts to prevent the fire from spreading.
“The beater is made of a long handle with a flat piece of rubber at the end. They’re used to beat the flames, which deprives them of oxygen and cools them down.
“The Brigade’s Control Office took the first of over 75 calls at 1830. Fire crews from Dagenham, Hornchurch, Wennington, Romford and other surrounding fire stations are at the scene.
“The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.”
UKNIPThe Brigade’s Control Office took the first of over 75 calls[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
